NEW YORK (www.hiphoptheaterfest.org) -
Fresh off it's
Chicago & Bay Area runs, June 2006 marks HHTF's 6th Season in New York City, featuring the NY premiere of the critically acclaimed Live from the Front starring Jerry Quickley and directed by Tony Award winner reg e. gaines.
This year's Festival also features the US Premiere of Brazilian funk styler Frank Ejara in his work Som do Movimento. This year also marks HHTF's first year at the Public Theatre, where the Festival will continue to bring the best and brightest of multi-disciplinary theater from the Hip-Hop Generation.
For General Hip Hop Theater Festival Information: Please call: 718.497.4282 or visit www.hiphoptheaterfest.org to download the complete schedule, purchase tickets online and more!
JUNE 8 - 10
The Hip-Hop Theater Festival is proud to support: LOW created and performed by Rha Goddess. Three nights only: June 8th, 9th & 10th, 2006 at 8 pm. 651 ARTS presents the debut solo work of internationally-acclaimed Hip-Hop theater artist Rha Goddess. LOW depicts the dark, but very human tragedy of mental illness in contemporary culture. Goddess uses a stunning fusion of the poetics, music, and movement of Hip-Hop to bring us the story of Lowquesha - a young woman's all too common isolated journey through the mental health system. Friday, June 9, join us for a special community event exploring issues of mental health and illness. Tickets: $20 - $25 (Student & Senior Tickets & Group Discounts Available). To purchase tickets call the Kumble Theater Box Office at 718.488.1624 OR go to www.tix.com KEYWORD: "Kumble". Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus): One University Plaza on Flatbush Ave (between DeKalb Ave & Willoughby St.) For more information please visit www.651arts.org.
Tuesday, JUNE 20
OPENING NIGHT!
NYC PREMIERE OF JERRY QUICKLEY'S LIVE FROM THE FRONT
Shows at 7:30 pm & 9 pm: Directed by reg e. gaines. Un-embedded and uncensored, Hip-Hop spoken word artist and radio correspondent Jerry Quickley went to Iraq, in the days before and during 'shock and awe". Quickley went to Baghdad and beyond to cover the pending, then, actual war for KPFK and the Pacifica Radio Network. He brings that unique insight to Live From The Front, which combines music, poetry, video and powerful performance style to tell the story of his travels to, and ultimate expulsion from, Iraq during the conflict. The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th St. and Astor Place) New York NY 10003. Take the 6 Train to Astor Place or the N/R/W to 8th Street/NYU. Tickets: $25 general admission and $10 for students & seniors. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square. Next performance on Saturday, June 24th.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY @ SUTRA NYC
Come join the Festival family and get your groove on w/ the sultry sounds of DJ Center and DJ Reborn at one of the Festival's favorite homes away from home, Sutra. Festival revilers can come for free whether they attended the performance or not. Just get down with us on this special night and celebrate being alive, loving live and living free in these times! Sutra 16 First Avenue (between 1st and 2nd Street) New York NY 10009. Take the F Train to First Ave. FREE! 21+ only.
Wednesday, JUNE 21
MAINSTAGE SHORTS: A NIGHT OF EXCERPTED WORKS
Shows at 7:30 pm & 9 pm: Featuring some of NYC's most talented playwrights and performers from the Hip-Hop generation.
HOLLIS MUGLEY'S ONLY WISH by Keith Josef Adkins tells the story of a young Black man determined to save his pregnant wife and suspiciously hyperactive twins from the shackles of a community immersed in consumerism, technology and the American diet.
SKINIMIN12 written & performed by Jennifer Cendaña Armas. 'Get away from the mirror/reflection in the window/you're nothing any special.' A woman's last glance in the mirror. 12 seconds to leave the house. The mis-images and stories a body won't forget. A play excerpt about the routine taunts and chants we tell ourselves to make it out the door everyday.
LITTLE BOOK OF BATTLES written & performed by Chastity Dotson, investigates the minds and hearts of several characters amidst the blaring headlines and the grinding pulse of war. As the nation remains divided along lines of class, race and personal identity, new uprisings and incidents of violence leave the President with no choice but to allow the country to declare war on itself.
FIVE 'TIL written & performed by Edwin Lee Gibson (2006 Obie Award winning actor). Directed by Daphne Richards. Inspired by the story of Gary Graham, a.k.a. Shaka Sankofa, the play, takes place in notorious, Huntsville State Penitentiary, Huntsville TX, five minutes before the execution of Dante Wallace, a reformed criminal, accused of a crime he did not commit. What happens when a capital punishment case becomes about convicting someone rather than the guilty?
ROBOCOP 525, choreographed & performed by Kenichi Ebina, is a solo piece mixing dance, mime, robot and illusion to tell the fantastic and futuristic story of a day in the life of a Robot Policeman.
FREE? written & performed by Kristina Wong. With more street cred than you can shake a pair of Hammer pants at, Kristina Wong swoops into the NYC Hip Hop Theater Festival to riff on notions of freedom in times that would make Joe McCarthy gasp. Excerpts include a satirical homage to "save the world in five minutes" spoken word, a Flashdance tribute, and an explanation (or un-explanation) of why she prefers life in the almighty closet.
AND featuring the Winner of Voices on Blast Competition!
The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th St. and Astor Place) New York NY 10003. Take the 6 Train to Astor Place or the N/R/W to 8th Street/NYU. Tickets: $25 general admission and $10 for students & seniors Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
CRITICAL BREAKS STAGED READING SERIES: RETROSPECT 4 LIFE by DOMINIQUE MORRISEAU
9:30 pm: An abortion clinic pulsates on the East-Side of Detroit. Outside - a protest is raging. Inside - five women in post-abortion wait to be released. Somewhere in the middle, lines are crossed and limits are tested until only the truth can survive. NYTW 4th Street Theater 83 East 4th St. (between Bowery & 2nd Ave) New York NY 10003. Take the F train to 2nd Ave or the 6 to Astor Place or N/R to 8th St. or B/D to Broadway/Lafayette. Tickets: $10 general admission. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
Critical Breaks, HHTF's program dedicated to developing new works is sponsored by Time Warner as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting diverse, new voices in American theater.
Thursday, JUNE 22
THE NEW SCHOOL ARTISTS DIALOGUE
4:30 - 6:30 pm: The New School Artists Dialogue w. Jerry Quickley and Frank Ejara. Moderated by: Marinieves Alba, (International Hip-Hop Exchange). Hip-Hop, Theater and International Politics. Artists will discuss how art, politics and Hip-Hop are being fused in the U.S. and abroad, and how it all factors into their artistic processes. FREE for all to attend. The New School 65 Fifth Ave (between 13th and 14th Streets) Room 229, Wolff Conference Room, New York NY 10003. Take the 1/2/3/4/5/6/F/N/R/Q/W to 14th St.
Sponsored by The Institute for Urban Education and Wolfson Center for National Affairs.
MAINSTAGE: ROCK, PAPER SCISSORS by BEN SNYDER
7:30 pm: Written by Ben Snyder With additional material by Ari Issler. Directed by Louis Moreno. An evening of minimum wages, mandatory minimums, and pre-emptive strikes. >From a poetry class at Spofford Juvenile Detention Center, take the Brooklyn bound number 2 train, and get off at the front lines of Baghdad. Played to sold out houses at Center Stage New York, P.S.122, New York Theater Workshop, and HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th St. and Astor Place) New York NY 10003. Take the 6 Train to Astor Place or the N/R/W to 8th Street/NYU. Tickets: $25 general admission and $10 for students & seniors. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
CRITICAL BREAKS STAGED READING SERIES: ETYMOLOGY OF A BIRD by ZAKIYYAH ALEXANDER
9:30 pm: Brooklyn in the summer. B-boys break, MC's freestyle, the struggle to make it is never ending and amidst it all two kids from the hood fall in love. One mistake from a cop and everything can change. Can a Bird from the hood fly? NYTW 4th Street Theater 83 East 4th St. (between Bowery & 2nd Ave) New York NY 10003. Take the F train to 2nd Ave or the 6 to Astor Place or N/R to 8th St. or B/D to Broadway/Lafayette. Tickets: $10 general admission. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
Critical Breaks, HHTF's program dedicated to developing new works is sponsored by Time Warner as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting diverse, new voices in American theater.
Friday, JUNE 23
B-BOY/B-GIRL MASTER CLASS w/ OLIVE DANCE THEATER
2 pm: Olive Dance Theatre Instructors: Raphael Xavier & Jamie Merwin. This is a technique class/workshop in the Hip-Hop dance form of Breakin'. Participants will learn the building blocks, text, foundation, drops, footwork, freezes and more. This class is open and beneficial for all levels of b-boys/b-girls, from beginners to advanced. The workshop will allow dancers to perfect these movements and dancers of all genres to cross-train and develop strength. Class format: warm-up & technique followed by open 1:1 questions. Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater - The Joan Weill Center for Dance 405 West 55th Street @ 9th Ave. New York NY 10019. Take the 1, A, B, C or D Trains to 59th St./Columbus Circle. Tickets: $15 Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
This project is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by the Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.
FROM DA STREET TO DA STAGE w/ FULL CIRCLE SOUL
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Through a unique fusion of Hip-Hop Theater, Full Circle co-founders will help students understand the aesthetics of Hip-Hop _expression and fuse it with lyrics/text of a monologue or a dialogue. Class will begin with basic training in Poppin' and Breakin', followed by the exploration of theatrical interpretation within the movements. Students are encouraged to bring any monologue they may want to see layered with Hip-Hop dance. Video footage will be shown. Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater - The Joan Weill Center for Dance 405 West 55th Street @ 9th Ave. New York NY 10019. Take the 1, A, B, C or D Trains to 59th St./Columbus Circle. Tickets: $35 10% off for HHTF participants. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
MAINSTAGE: THE JACK YA BODY SOLO DANCE SERIES
7:30 pm: The U.S. premiere of FRANK EJARA'S SOM DO MOVIMENTO. Using boogaloo, locking and popping, Brazilian solo artist Frank Ejara takes the audience into an imaginary world, in which sound and movement fuse, with the sound creating movement and movement creating sound.
RENNIE HARRIS' PRINCESCAREKROW'S ROAD TO THE EMERALD CITY (excerpt) A work in progress outlining the personal journey of Rennie Harris in the city of Philadelphia aka Emerald City. The work is being developed on stage as an improvisation and eventually will be set as a full evening length. PSK is comprised of existing solo work (s) Endangered Species and Lorenzo's Oil of Facing Mekka, which serves as stepping a block for a new solo work.
The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th St. and Astor Place) New York NY 10003. Take the 6 Train to Astor Place or the N/R/W to 8th Street/NYU. Tickets: $25 general admission and $10 for students & seniors. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
CRITICAL BREAKS STAGE READING: THE VACANT SKY by ANTHONY ROMAN
9:30 pm: The Vacant Sky tells the story of soldier Fredrick Roberts, who returns from the war in 2004 to find his wife missing. This is a common occurrence that happens to soldiers during times of war. As the tale unfolds, we discover the origins and endings of every character we meet. Held together by the narrator, Orelio, the story jumps from time to time, showcasing significant moments to the story of these characters, and their lives. NYTW 4th Street Theater 83 East 4th St. (between Bowery & 2nd Ave) New York NY 10003. Take the F train to 2nd Ave or the 6 to Astor Place or N/R to 8th St. or B/D to Broadway/Lafayette. Tickets: $10 general admission. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
Critical Breaks, HHTF's program dedicated to developing new works is sponsored by Time Warner as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting diverse, new voices in American theater.
Saturday, JUNE 24
CLOSING NIGHT!
WORKSHOP PRESENTATION: OLIVE DANCE THEATER'S BROTHERLY LOVE
2 pm: Brotherly Love excerpts from a new work-in-progress featuring vocalist Paula Larke. This multi-media dance theatre work is inspired by the original screenplay by Paolo Pilladi, a script of historical fiction inspired by the social and political turmoil in Philadelphia (circa 1975-85). The use of dance, music, video and spoken word invites us to relate to and respect the struggle for social justice that continue. Our ultimate goal in the creation and presentation of this work is for us to have a deeper and more personal understanding of the 'MOVE' controversy, without, taking a political position to say who was right or wrong. Rather this work should pose a question and invite the audience to respect the challenge to answer such a question and connect people from everywhere with the sense that struggle is real and sometimes right in our own backyards. This workshop presentation is part of the development of this evening's length work; our intention is to gather audience response and gage the impact of the direction that we are taking with this work. This dialogue with the audience will be stimulated by movement, text and historical/research material from the company. Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater - The Joan Weill Center for Dance 405 West 55th Street @ 9th Ave. New York NY 10019. Take the 1, A, B, C or D Trains to 59th St./Columbus Circle. Tickets: $15 Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
This project is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by the Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.
FROM DA STREET TO DA STAGE w/ FULL CIRCLE SOUL
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Through a unique fusion of Hip-Hop Theater, Full Circle co-founders will help students understand the aesthetics of Hip-Hop _expression and fuse it with lyrics/text of a monologue or a dialogue. Class will begin with basic training in Poppin' and Breakin', followed by the exploration of theatrical interpretation within the movements. Students are encouraged to bring any monologue they may want to see layered with Hip-Hop dance. Video footage will be shown. Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater - The Joan Weill Center for Dance 405 West 55th Street @ 9th Ave. New York NY 10019. Take the 1, A, B, C or D Trains to 59th St./Columbus Circle. Tickets: $35 10% off for HHTF participants. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
CRITICAL BREAKS STAGED READING SERIES: ACTOR'S WRAP Written and Directed by J. KYLE MANZAY
4:30 pm: In this comedy, a group of classically trained actors who, after being frustrated with the recent trend of rappers being cast in movies, decide to take matters into their own hands and kidnap the hottest rapper in the game. A tale of morality, redemption, fame and success, can these have anything to do with each other, only in Actor's Wrap. NYTW 4th Street Theater 83 East 4th St. (between Bowery & 2nd Ave) New York NY 10003. Take the F train to 2nd Ave or the 6 to Astor Place or N/R to 8th St. or B/D to Broadway/Lafayette. Tickets: $10 general admission. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
Critical Breaks, HHTF's program dedicated to developing new works is sponsored by Time Warner as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting diverse, new voices in American theater.
CLOSING NIGHT!
NYC PREMIERE OF JERRY QUICKLEY'S LIVE FROM THE FRONT
7:30 pm: Directed by reg e. gaines. Un-embedded and uncensored, Hip-Hop spoken word artist and radio correspondent Jerry Quickley went to Iraq, in the days before and during 'shock and awe". Quickley went to Baghdad and beyond to cover the pending, then, actual war for KPFK and the Pacifica Radio Network. He brings that unique insight to Live From The Front, which combines music, poetry, video and powerful performance style to tell the story of his travels to, and ultimate expulsion from, Iraq during the conflict. The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th St. and Astor Place) New York NY 10003. Take the 6 Train to Astor Place or the N/R/W to 8th Street/NYU. Tickets: $25 general admission and $10 for students & seniors. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.
CRITICAL BREAKS STAGED READING SERIES: ANGEL & HANNAH: A LOVE STORY IN HIP-HOP SONNETS Written and Performed by ISHLE YI PARK
9:30 pm: Award winning Poet Laureate of Queens Ishle Yi Park speaks, rhymes, and sings the story of Angel & Hannah, a Brooklyn-Queens affair about a young, inter-racial couple trying to rise to the occasion of love. Written in Hip-Hop sonnets & adapted from Park's novel-in-verse, woven together with DJ Reborn's whirling black thread. A classic story spun by passionate women who will invite you to relive your own wild affairs of the heart. NYTW 4th Street Theater 83 East 4th St. (between Bowery & 2nd Ave) New York NY 10003. Take the F train to 2nd Ave or the 6 to Astor Place or N/R to 8th St. or B/D to Broadway/Lafayette. Tickets: $10 general admission. Group discounts available. Purchase tickets at 1.866.811.4111 or visit the Theatermania Kiosk at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square. Critical Breaks, HHTF's program dedicated to developing new works is sponsored by Time Warner as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting diverse, new voices in American theater.
ABOUT HHTF
In six years, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival (HHTF) has grown into one of the most influential outlets showcasing Hip-Hop performing arts in the country. The Hip-Hop Theater Festival aims to invigorate the fields of theater and Hip-Hop by nurturing the creation of innovative work within the hip-hip aesthetic. The core of HHTF's programming is its annual Festivals.
For more information on HHTF, visit www.hiphoptheaterfest.org.
Hip-Hop Theater Festival is made possible by through generous support from The Ford Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, Time Warner, Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, the National Endowment of the Arts, New York State Council of the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and individual supporters like you. HHTF is a participant in the New Generations Program, funded by Doris Duke Charitable Trust/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for American Theatre.
email: [email protected] phone: 718.497.4282 web: https://www.hiphoptheaterfest.org
Hip-Hop Theater Festival | 57 Thames St. No 4B | Brooklyn | NY | 11237
